CASTLETOWN CELTIC 1

DUNMANWAY TOWN 4

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

THREE second-half goals secured victory for Dunmanway Town away to Castletown Celtic in the PremierHiSpecCars.com West Cork League Premier Division on Tuesday evening.

In a game of multiple wasted opportunities, goals from Will Hennigan, Keith White, Conor Vassallo and Sam Foley moved Dunmanway into fifth place in the league standings.

Celtic proved more than a match for 65 minutes until the concession of three late goals saw the Castletownkenneigh club’s fears of dropping down a division deepen.

Ahead of kick-off, marooned at the bottom of the table alongside Baltimore, the only way was up for relegation-threatened Castletown Celtic.

Shorn of the talents of numerous regular starters since the beginning of the campaign, an opportunity to register a first Premier Division victory ensured the hosts began on the front foot.

Two wins from six league outings represented a disappointing return for a new-look Dunmanway. The chance to put some daylight between themselves and joint-bottom placed Baltimore and Castletown saw Town set a brisk early pace.

Using the full width of the pitch, Dunmanway attacked from the opening whistle and found the net inside three minutes. Will Hennigan latched on to Oran McCarthy’s excellent pass and found the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Nathan Mawe O’Donovan and Keith White’s persistence down both flanks repeatedly stretched Celtic’s back four. But a combination of wasteful finishing and Oisin O’Leary’s competent goalkeeping meant the score remained unchanged after quarter of an hour.

Having defended for most of that period, Castletown finally gained a foothold and created two chances in quick succession. Sean Bourke headed a Jack O’Callaghan corner over the crossbar before Gavin Dullea’s close-range shot deflected out for another corner.

Those opportunities elicited a positive Dunmanway response with goal-scorer Will Hennigan bursting through only to suffer a hamstring injury and be forced off.

Dominating possession, Town’s approach work was of the highest order. Frustratingly for the visitors, lack of a quality pass in the final third saw numerous attacks flounder.

Town were punished for their profligacy when Castletown Celtic conjured up an equaliser, against the run of play, after 33 minutes. Jack O’Callaghan’s lofted free kick was headed over goalkeeper Kian O’Sullivan by an unmarked Sean Bourke to make it 1-1.

Both sides went close to adding to their totals as Aidan O’Donovan and Jack O’Callaghan efforts whistled inches wide. Jamie Dullea had a shot smothered by Oisin O’Leary and Oran McCarthy headed wide as a dominant Dunmanway finished the half on the attack.

David Ring missed the target as Town began the second period in the positive manner they finished the first.

Staying compact in defence, Castletown gave little away and remained a threat from set pieces. Jack O’Callaghan was presented with another opportunity from a free kick awarded ten metres outside Dunmanway’s penalty area after 55 minutes. The midfielder’s attempt took a deflection before ricocheting wide.

Keith White was Town’s biggest attacking threat throughout the evening and three consecutive dribbles had Celtic’s defenders scrambling. But for all their attacking intent, Dunmanway’s failure to net a second goal saw the visitors’ frustrations grow.

Finbarr Lordan and Sean Crowley’s solid defending kept the home side in the game and a draw looked the likeliest outcome heading into the closing 20 minutes.

When Town did manage to break through, Keith White’s cutback was walloped over by Oran McCarthy from ten yards out. Another Dunmanway chance, another Dunmanway miss.

Admirably, the visitors stuck to their task and netted for a second time Keith White broke free after 68 minutes. The Dunmanway striker rounded Oisin O’Leary before rolling the ball into the net.

Connor Vassallo added a third before a late goal from substitute Sam Foley put the seal on Dunmanway’s 4-1 victory.

Castletown Celtic: Oisin O’Leary, Darren Coughlan, Finbarr Lordan, Eoghan Mangan, Shane Corcoran, Stephen Moore, Niall O’Halloran, Jack O’Callaghan (captain), Donnacha Nugent, Sean Burke, Matthew Draper.

Subs: Sean Crowley, Aaron Draper, John Horgan.

Dunmanway Town: Kian O’Sullivan, Oran McCarthy, Jamie Dullea, Stephen O’Donovan, Cian Collins, Gavin Dullea, Nathan Mawe O’Donovan, Conor Vassallo, Keith White (captain), Will Hennigan, David Ring.

Subs: Rory Carroll, Gavin Lordan, Aidan O’Donovan, Fionn Kearney, Liam Kearney, Helvio Paulino De Souza, Sam Foley.

Referee: Colin Clancy.